Mark's artistic talent was recognized by his public school teachers who recommended that he go to Art School. Mark attended Central Technical School where he studied Art History, Anatomy, Still-Life, Life Drawing, Lettering and Illustrating.

He submitted his portfolio to the Ontario College of Art and received advanced standing and entered into his second year. During second and third year he studied advertising and painting and later changed to Communications and Design as his goal was to be an Illustrator. OCA had some of the best Illustrators in Toronto at the time. However, with the arrival of a new College President, specializing was out. That's how he found clay.

His fourth year was spent learning how to throw, mix glazes and load kilns, with the majority of this time throwing with instructions from Potter and Teacher David Long and Joan Bobbs. During his college years Mark worked as a glazier at Canadian Pittsburgh Industries.

After graduation, Mark came to Tobermory to join Circle Arts Gallery and Co-op during the summer and returned to Toronto every fall to work at the College as their clay technician. He left the technicians job in 1981 to live in Tobermory year round.

Mark Kelners work can be purchased at a number of locations throughout Grey-Bruce, or you can drop by for a visit at his home 2 miles south of Tobermory on Warner Bay Road.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Naturally, Grey and Bruce have a lot to offer. Have a look as some of these must see wonders and you'll see and hear what we mean. more >>

Things to See & Places to Be!

Right up there with scenic vistas no trip is complete without shopping vistas, great drives and a festival or event along the way. We will expose all the hot spots. more >>

Culture & Heritage

Grey Bruce has thousands of years of natural and human history, thousands of artifacts to choose from and thousands of compelling stories. Art galleries and studios, historic museums and heritage homes, studio tours, theatre, symphony, live concerts and more take place all year long.studio tours, theatre, symphony, live concerts and more take place all year long. more >>